The Georgia Southern Roundball Alumni Club is a group of former players, coaches, and managers for both the men's and women's basketball teams. Every year, the club invites alumni to come back to Georgia Southern for alumni weekend.
A big part of alumni weekend is the Club Reunion. Mike Backus, Executive Director of the Roundball Club, said that the reunion is a chance for a bunch of old friends and teammates to come together to look back at their playing days.
Everyone in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to catch up with one another while getting treated to dinner. A few former players shared some thoughts on what it meant to be back.
The entire club received tickets to Saturday's home game against Marshall. Hear from a few of the alums below.
Robert Jackson
Jackson played on the men's basketball team from 1979-81. He averaged 7.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game over his 2 seasons. When asked about what it means to come back to Georgia Southern he said that it always feels good because it is home.
"For me it was a lovely time," Jackson said. "I had a great perspective and great life here at Georgia Southern." Jackson said his favorite memory of Georgia Southern is when he signed his scholarship to play in Statesboro.
Jackson shared some words of wisdom to the current and future athletes that will represent Georgia Southern. "I would tell them that Georgia Southern is the ideal place for someone coming here as far as getting their academic success," Jackson said. "Their education should be their priority. Basketball is secondary, but if they do come they have opportunity to get access to be seen and make that next leap to the NBA."
Robert's wife, Patricia, said that she was very proud to celebrate her husband's career.
Fred "JJ" Jones
Jones played on the men's basketball team from 1984-1987. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game during his career. Jones started on the 1986-87 Eagles team that made it to the NCAA tournament and loss to Syracuse. Jones said that his favorite memory was when Georgia Southern won the conference and qualified for the NCAA tournament. He recounted the Syracuse team's postgame interview after their win against Georgia Southern in the 1987 NCAA tournament. He said that Georgia Southern gained the respect of their opponents due to their play on the court.
Jones pitched Georgia Southern to athletes who are mulling coming down to Statesboro.
"Take the time, come visit at least once and feel the atmosphere," Jones said. "Georgia Southern will help you become the person you want to become if you attend this school. You have to overlook your ego."
Regina Days-Bryan
Days-Bryan is regarded by some to be the "Greatest Georgia Southern Women's Basketball Player Ever." She played on the women's team from 1984-1988. She averaged 18.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during her career. She ranks second in career points for Georgia Southern with 2,091 and third in career rebound with 1,078.
When she graduated, she held 9 school records.
Days-Bryan's favorite memory playing at Georgia Southern was her very first start. She said her coach told her to go out and get 10 rebounds.
"That was the only time I actually went out and counted every rebound I got." After the game, she went to her coach saying that she got the 10 rebounds. Her coach replied with 'But you also scored 20 points'. That was the beginning of an illustrious career for Regina Days-Bryan.
